“Yeah, is that okay?”
“I haven’t been there in forever. I think the last time was with Marie and a bunch of her friends. I remember being so bored.” She made a face. “That was a long time ago. I was a lot younger than they were, and I remember being mad at my sister for drinking and smoking.”
“She was a bit of a rebel?” I asked, trying to think if I’d noticed Mara’s sister coming in and out of her house.
“Oh, yeah.” She shifted, turning in her seat and bending her knee. My hand slid down to her calf, and Mara wrapped one of her arms around mine. I thought I might choke on my own hormones. But first, I needed to park the car and get out of it. As much as I liked being close to Mara, I didn’t want to rush anything.
“Like how?” I asked, proud of myself for keeping track of the conversation when all I wanted to do was pull her close for a kiss.
Mara shrugged. “She just doesn’t like being told what to do. She’s grown out of it some, but she’s always been into things I’m not.”
“Like what?” I asked, turning the car into a small lot close to the falls. I let go of her leg to shift into park and turn off the car. No other cars were there, which wasn’t a surprise. Mostly, the spot was used by high school kids, and they were all in school.
“I don’t know.” She paused, thinking. “Like coloring her hair bright pink, or worse—black. Partying. Hanging out with the wrong crowd. She’s got a lot of piercings. And tattoos.”
“Is she married to that jacked dude with all the tattoos?” I’d seen him, usually playing in the backyard with the little boy.
“They’re not married, but yeah, he’s with Marie. Wade’s really cool, though. I like him a lot. He’s been good for Marie. And for Simon.”
I nodded because I wasn’t sure what else to say to that. “Are you ready?”
Mara’s smile was shy as she got out of the car.
“I brought some stuff,” I told her as I went to the trunk and opened it.
“Wow. What is all that?” I glanced up to see her staring wide-eyed at the beach bag and cooler I’d packed while Dad was still sleeping. I’d beg forgiveness later.
“We gotta eat, right?” I slung the bag over my shoulder and lifted the cooler out. “Can you close that?”
Mara reached out and pulled the trunk closed. “Do you want me to carry the bag?”
“I got it.” I wanted to impress her, so sue me.
I led the way down a well-beaten path to the falls. It was a short walk and well hidden from any main roads. No one would ever know we were there, and we’d have the place to ourselves. Not that I was trying to get Mara by herself! Okay, I kind of was, but more than anything, I didn’t want her worrying about getting caught by anyone.
This time of year, the waterfall rushed over the hillside rather than trickled like it sometimes did in the summer. The sound was soothing. I’d always enjoyed the falls. The guys and I would go at night, especially in the summer, and swim after playing baseball or basketball. Sometimes, we’d bring girls and have a party, but this was the first time I’d been here alone with a girl.
Suddenly, I felt stupid. Would Mara think I was trying to turn this into a date? I mean, I kind of was, but I hoped I wasn’t being obvious about it.
Gah! I was being so obvious about it.
Just play it cool, Tag. Just play it cool, I told myself. I’d learned a long time ago that a lot of times, people would believe what you wanted them to believe if you were confident enough. I’d just act like none of this was a big deal—not the blanket I’d brought, or the picnic lunch.
I was an idiot.
Thankfully, there was only enough room on the path for us to go one at a time. Mara walked behind me while I took a second to shove down my anxiety and assume the carefree mask people were used to seeing me wear.
I didn’t stop until we’d reached a small clearing with a patch of grass big enough for the blanket I’d brought.
“This look good?” I asked.
“Perfect.”
I avoided her gaze as I shook out the blanket and spread it on the grass. It was too early to eat and